JESSUP -- Lackawanna County could be getting one of the largest natural gas power plants in the state.
A company out of Chicago has bought 80 acres of old coal property just off the Casey Highway in Jessup to build the power plant.
The plant would generate electricity from natural gas that is extracted from the Marcellus Shale region.
Natural gas powered electricity plants are cropping up across the state. There are already two in our area, one in Lycoming County and the other in Bradford County. Department of Environmental Protection officials think the one planned for Jessup could be the largest in the state.
It's 80 acres of land in Jessup that is now just a network of trails. Its seen its fair share of vandalism and illegal dumping. Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection said it used to be owned by a coal company. Energy may soon be there again.
"When the coal mines were working, this town was booming. As soon as the coal mines shut down, there's hardly any businesses here," said George Bolsar of Jessup.
Bolsar has run his business on Church Street in Jessup for almost 30 years. And he thinks that news may be the shot in the arm this borough needs.
A Chicago based company called Invenergy has plans to build a power plant on the land. It would use natural gas from the marcellus shale region to power turbines that generate electricity.
No word yet on whether the plant will lead to energy savings here in Lackawanna County. But it will generate jobs. First, construction jobs then 30 employees will work at the plant.
Ginger Adams' customers told her about the proposed power plant. She thinks it will have some bigger trickle down effects.
"Progress is good, it will take a few years but I think its a great idea. Jessup is growing, we need to grow on this side. We're all built up on Route 6, it's time for Jessup," Adams said.
Invenergy choose Jessup because the site is near power lines and close to natural gas sources. The company still needs to have its plans approved by the DEP and the borough of Jessup. The project is still years down the road.